Embrace Your Destiny: Physical Therapy

Embrace Your Destiny: Physical Therapy 

I have been doing physical therapy off and on since the very beginning of my destiny with MS. My Neurologist, Dr. Bertics, prescribed PT immediately after being diagnosed. I quickly learned that much of what I thought I was doing at the gym was not right. I found that I was using way too much weight for most exercises and in the process, causing muscle and joint pain. I learned stretching exercises to do daily. I also learned to identify and avoid risky situations. I never realized uneven grass, unpaved surfaces, and dips in the walking surface could be so dangerous!



When we lived at North Topsail Beach for six years, I got Dr. Bertics to link me up with a Physical Therapist there. I called him Dr. Jude. I couldn't pronounce his name and he said everybody called him that. Once again, his interventions were very helpful. He had me working on balance everyday. He also suggested doing playful activities like ball tossing. He worked with me to do some weight work in a safe manner too.

When we moved back to Western North Carolina, I decided to search for a walking specialist. I found one by asking at Foot RX, an athletic shoe store in Arden. I had asked Scot, the owner to make orthotics for my walking shoes. He knows the walking, running network in Western North Carolina. He recommended Thomas Minton. I have been working with Thomas for three years. When I started going, my coordination, lateral movement and balance were all challenging. I thought the spasticity had become worse. I felt all yink-yanked structurally. I was stiff, walked with a pronounced limp, and occasionally had joint pain issues. Graceful I was not!

Over the years, he has helped me progress from being very awkward in gait, to being relatively normal in gait, on a good day. 
He showed me drills to practice between sessions. These drills were instrumental in helping me relax while walking. Over time, I became aware of the tension I was holding in my shoulders, neck, and hips. Fundamentally, I had to relearn how to walk. Falling forward, taking small steps, and even talking while walking were some strategies he introduced early. I still go back to those fundamentals of walking, especially when I get fatigued. 

Thomas is a teacher of Interns from various Physical Therapy Program. His most recent Intern was Shea Dineen who will graduate in December 2017 from Elon College. Her special area of interest is neuromuscular disorders, like Multiple Sclerosis. I was  a good patient for her to help. She and Thomas have been working with me the past four months on taking my walking to the next level of coordination. Together, we have targeted core strength, controling hip movement to stay in alignment, and keeping shoulders stable over the hips. This video shows one exercise Thomas had me doing. He is watching to make sure I am doing it right. This exercise has been very helpful.

In this next photo, Shea is helping me master a shoulder stability exercise. She also had another exercise she showed me to do on steps. Shea explained that keeping the hips and shoulders stable will improve walking coordination. She has given me diagrams and instructions for both exercises. 

I have found physical therapy, when I practice at home between sessions, to give me significant results. 

CarePartners
Thomas Minton 
Thomas.Minton@msj.org
He is a Physical Therapist, Running Coach, Bike Fit Pro, Ergonomics Specialist

Shea Dineen
sdineen@elon.edu 
Physical Therapy Intern, Elon College